Health-Enriching Tamarind Coolers (Teteli Tengar Shorbot)

During summer we drink gallons of aerated beverages without realizing that they could be causing so much harm to the body. Why consume harmful drinks when you can prepare health-enriching drinks at home within minutes. This summer we are making a conscious effort to stay away from aerated/soft drinks and sip only natural and fresh juice. Last week, I used up my stock of ripe tamarind pulp to prepare a jar of cool, refreshing and health-enriching tamarind juice. Just perfect on hot days to cool the body down and quench your thirst!

Tamarind juice has a series of health benefits too – it can be an effective remedy in curing and treating bile disorder.  The pulp of ripe tamarind is very useful in treating digestive and constipation problems; it can improve the loss of appetite too.

Tamarind juice is very easy to prepare; just follow these instructions and you’ll be right there. 

Ingredients:                                  

   

• ·         Two-three tablespoon ripe tamarind pulp
• ·         Four-five  table spoon sugar (or depending on your taste)
• ·          1/4^th teaspoon black salt (optional)
• ·         Half litre potable water
• ·         Two-three sprigs of mint (optional)

Method

Wash the tamarind pulp well. You may have got them from a well-known brand, but still you need to wash them properly in potable water to ensure hygiene.  Set aside. Boil the water and add sugar. Add the tamarind pulp too along with salt. Stir well with a spoon. Use tea strainer and drain the tamarind syrup into a jar. Add the sprigs of mint to the tamarind water if you want and then refrigerate.  Your tamarind syrup is ready.

Remember: This is a concentrated syrup. So you need to mix it with the right amount of chilled water before serving.

This tamarind concoction is good enough to serve more than four people. You can even store them to serve when guests visit unannounced.

Note: If you like it spicy, you can add crushed green chillis too.